For-profit, investor-owned health care corporations have become much m
ore active in hospital markets previously dominated by the private not
-for-profit sector. An in-depth examination of the many issues underly
ing this controversy is provided, including a review of the role playe
d by charity care and community benefits, access to capital, the relat
ionship between profit and the tax status of health care organizations
, the role of government oversight and regulation, and the quality and
availability of health care.